How does paternity leave for fathers and second parents work in Luxembourg?

In Luxembourg it is called paternity leave (congé de paternité): 10 days of special leave for the birth of a child. It is for employed and self-employed fathers, and for any person recognised as the child's second parent under the applicable law. It also applies when a child under 16 is taken in with a view to adoption.

How long: 10 days, which is 80 hours for a 40-hour week. If you work fewer hours or part-time, the hours are set in proportion to your contract. Some collective agreements or company rules give more. For twins or more, you get a full leave for each child.

When to take it: within 2 months of the birth. Tell your employer in writing at least 2 months before the dates you plan, with a copy of the medical certificate giving the expected due date. The dates are then in principle set as you wish, unless the business's needs prevent it. Without that notice, the leave must be taken all at once, right after the birth, although you and your employer can still agree to split it or move it. If the birth happens 2 months before the due date, the notice period does not apply.

Pay: your employer keeps paying your salary. The State reimburses your employer from the 17th hour of leave, on the employer's request to the Ministry of Labour.

Good to know:

• if you are ill during the planned leave, those days are lost;
• if a premature birth moves the leave into planned annual leave, the annual leave is interrupted.

Parental leave is separate and longer: after maternity leave, both parents can take it, paid by the CAE.